Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal cord injuries are serious health concerns that can cause loss of function and mobility in various parts of your body. At Delaware NeuroRehab in Dover, Wilmington and Newark, Delaware, Haresh Sampathkumar, MD, and the interdisciplinary team provide comprehensive neurorehabilitation programs for spinal cord injuries. They create plans that improve mobility, function, and quality of life. Call the office today or schedule an appointment online to learn more about treatment for spinal cord injuries at Delaware NeuroRehab.

What are spinal cord injuries?

Spinal cord injuries damage the spinal cord and nearby bones and tissues. Your spinal cord is part of your central nervous system, relaying messages between your brain and body.

When you have a spinal cord injury, you may experience a disruption in that messaging, affecting movement and function. Any spinal cord injury is serious and can lead to permanent disability.

Delaware NeuroRehab is a group medical practice with a rehabilitation and pain management physician who works with the team to provide comprehensive care for spinal cord injuries.

What are the types of spinal cord injuries?

The three kinds of spinal cord injuries are complete, incomplete, and spinal concussions.

Complete spinal cord injury

A complete spinal cord injury means you’ve lost all motor and sensory functions below the injured part of the spine. These injuries are caused by a contusion, bruise, or cut to the spinal cord.

Incomplete spinal cord injury

With an incomplete spinal cord injury, you retain some motor and sensory functions below the site of the injury. These injuries are graded using the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) scale based on how severe the damage is.

Spinal concussions

Spinal concussions are short-term spinal cord injuries that get better on their own or with mild medical treatments within a day or two.

What happens during spinal cord injury consultations?

Delaware NeuroRehab is a one-of-a-kind practice providing comprehensive neurorehabilitation programs for neurological conditions like spinal cord injuries.

The group medical practice’s interdisciplinary team works together, evaluating your physical function so that they can develop a strategic and effective treatment plan.

During your initial consultation, the team completes a history and physical exam and might perform neurological and functional tests. They could also request imaging studies to assess the severity of your spinal cord injury.

How are spinal cord injuries treated?

The Delaware NeuroRehab team customizes your spinal cord injury neurorehabilitation plan, including treatments and therapies that address all of your needs. Your plan can include:

• Physiatry
• Psychotherapy
• Physical and occupational therapy
• Speech therapy
• Prescription medication
• Pain management
• Assistive devices (walkers, wheelchairs)
• Botulinum toxin (Botox® and Xeomin®) injections

The team works closely with you, adjusting your plan and goals to improve strength, function, mobility, and quality of life.

Schedule a consultation at Delaware NeuroRehab today by calling or booking an appointment online for comprehensive care for spinal cord injuries.